Coin or token mechanism



March 19, 1940. H A GERsBACn-l 2,193,962

COIN 0R TOKEN MECHANISM ATTORNEYS March 19, 1940. H. A. Gx-:RsBAci-i COIN OR TOKEN MECHANISM Filed Feb. 1l, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 MM2@ M M17 man@ March 19, 1940. H, A GERSBACH 2,193,952

COIN. 0R TOKEN MECHAISM Filed Feb. l1. 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ATT NEYS Patented Mar. 19, 1940 UNITED STATES .PATENT oFFics COIN OR TOKEN MECHANISM Application February 1v1, 1937, Serial No. 125,231

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to a new form of token and a mechanism adapted to 'be operated thereby and by coins, and which mechanism is capable of registering independently such coins 5 and tokens. ln the more extended aspects of the invention the coins or tokens may serve further to operate a releasing mechanism, such as the elements of a turnstile.

Conditions commonly exist in which it is desirable to provide devices of such nature Which are capable of being operated by tokens and coins of different character. As an example, tokens may be sold to the public at a certain rate, but for convenience of 'the public it may be desired to permit the use alternatively of a standard coin. The invention is designed to meet this condition, and in connection therewith is capable not only of registering independently the coins and tokens, but to produce other desirable functions such as the releasing of locking mechanisms.

Of major importance is the provision of a token of double stepped diameter including a normal circular disklike part of one diameter and an integral portion axially projecting therefrom of a different diameter. The token may have an opening extending axially through the center', thereby rendering it of lighter Weight. The shape thereof as a whole is such as to enable it to be made accurately and rapidly by a stamping operation as distinguished from a turning operation, for example, and With corresponding economy in the cost of manufacture.

The invention includes a mechanism especially adapted to employ advantageously a token of this character, and various features of each may be conveniently considered together. The general features of the mechanism comprise a chute adapted to receive the token in edgewise position and to receive similarly a coin. The chute and further mechanism for conveying the token or coin through the apparatus to perform the desired function is made of such shape as to receive a token in either of its edgewise positions, that is, with the supplemental projecting hub or boss portion extending in one direction or in the opposite direction. This adds markedly to convenience in the use thereof and avoids confusion and delays particularly in a turnstile with patrons hurrying through at a rapid rate.

The main portion of the token may be made of the same general character, particularly as to diameter, as the standard coin with Which it is alternatively usable in the mechanism. This enables considerable simplification of the mechanism. In this connection it is noted that there have been developed previously devices in which the coin or token drops edgewise between opposed members `and serves as a connecting "eiement, enabling motion to be transmitted to a lock releasing means. In the present arrangement this same function can be retained but combined with auxiliary mechanism arranged in the path of the projecting portion of the token which will effect or cause modification of other functions so that the `mechanism may be made to respond differently to the token in some other respects, such as to operate a separate register or counting means for the tokens. Accordingly in the present invention the modified operation produced by the token can be obtained, and at the same time the main part of the token may be given a diameter the same as that of the corresponding coin. By being able to make this diameter the same as that of the coin, the parts of the mechanism with Which they cooperate do not require such a careful adjustment and maintaining thereof as `Where these elements must function on coins or tokens of slightly different diameter;

In general the main portion of the token performs the normal functions of the coin which it replaces and the projecting auxiliary hub portion cooperates With particular apparatus provided in conjunction therewith to produce functions which Will distinguish otherwise over the coin. This feature enables further the ready variation of the additional functions as different conditions may arise, and may be easily accomplished simply by changing the size of the auxiliary projecting portion on the token together with suitable adjustment, if necessary, of the mechanism. In other Words a different hub portion may be caused to produce a different auxiliary function, While retaining the same normal functions produced by the standard diameter of the main portion of the token. Various other advantages are inherent in the device based on these principles. For example, if a' certain token for Which the machine is adjusted should become counterfeited, then by simply modifying the dies to produce a token with a different size hub, and correspondingly adjusting the mechanism, the counterfeit tokens may be rendered obsolete and quickly detected if attemped to be used or offered for redemption.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises a token and an apparatus for receiving and utilizing the same, and likewise coins, which comprise the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which Will be exemplied in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of which invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of the operating mechanism of a turnstile construction;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the coin and token receiving mechanism with a part of the casing broken away to show the movable parts;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View of the same portion of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 2 and taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 2, but with the movable parts operated into a position illustrative of that assumed when a token is passed through the mechanism,fthis figure being taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view ofthe apparatus of Fig. e taken on the line 5 5 of 1i;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view ot the operating slides and levers comprising the immediate mechanism upon Which the coin or teken operates;

Fig. 7 is an edge view of a token, such as is also shown in various views of the mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of another token of a somewhat different shape; and

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional of the token shown in Fig. 8.

As noted above, typical tokens depicted in Figs. 7 to 9; and a machine adapted to receive and be operated thereby is shown generally in l. The machine there illustrated comprises turnstile similar in its general features to that disclosed in the patent to Kennedy et al. 1,936,941 issued November 28, i933.

Referring first to Fig. l, the general features of the turnstile there shown comprise a main shaft II) for the turnstile upon which may be mounted the turnstile arms l i of any desired number and suitably spaced, the present form illustrating a four arm turnstile. Carried by the shaft Il! and keyed thereto is the cam` disk I2 having the proper spacing of parts suitable for a four arm turnstile. In general, these parts comprise four radially extending lugs i3 with ratchet teeth Iii located on the periphery between the lugs I3. Secured to the undersurface oi the disk I2 are four equally spaced rollers Iii mounted on studs I6. These rollers I5 serve to rock the long positioning lever Il! pivoted to the frame at iii. The lever Il is urged continuously in a clockwise direction in Fig. 1 by means of the spring i9 secured at one end to the frame as shown at 2t and to the outer end of the locating lever as indicated at 2l As stated, rotation oi the turnstile arms will rock the lever I'I, and. conversely, upon release of the turnstile, the lever Il by reason of the spring I9 will urge the turnstile in one of its four home positions as illustrated in l.. The normal direction of rotation oi the turnstile is clockwise. The pawl 22 spring pressed at 23 cooperates with the ratchet teeth l-i to prevent rotation in the reverse direction.

Operation of the turnstile arms in the clockwise direction is normally prevented by the locking pawl 25 cooperating with the lugs E3 of the main disk, the locking pawl 25 having a shoulder 2t engageable by the lug I3 for this purpose. As shown in Fig. l, a limited amount of clockwise rotation is permitted before the lug i3 engages the shoulder 26 for a purpose which will be pointed out subsequently. The locking pawl 25 is normally spring pressed into the position shown against the lug i3 by the spring 2. Release of the pawl 25, upon the insertion oi' a coin or token, is effected by the release .lever '2li through the operation of the cam 29 on the stud projecting from the tail part of the locking pawl 25.

The mechanism is also provided with a stop pawl 33 designed to bring the turnstile to a dead stop at the end oi each quarter turn. The stop pawl is normally urged by a spring 32 in a clockwise direction about its pivot into engagement with the stud 34. Upon rotation of the turnstile the clockwise direction from the position shown, the lug Ilia will clear the but subsequently engage the tail portion rocking the pawl couni-crclockwise to a position such that the arm 33 will lie momentarily in the path of the next succeeding lug I3b and bring the turnstile to a 'dead stop. Immediately thereafter the spring swings the locking pawl into the normal position shown.

Referring now to the opposite end of the mechanism wherein is located the coin and. token receiving parts, it Will be seen that the positioning lever Il' is provided with an extension member 3l' secured at one end by the stud 38 to the positioning lever i'I and impositively held in engagement therewith at the opposite end by the stud 3Q projecting through a coil spring. The releasing lever 28 is also provided with an extension iinger 4l! for a purpose shortly to be described. This lever 28 is normally biased in a clockwise direction by the spring fili. The coin chute is shown at 42, and as will be apparent for example from. Fig. 3, this coin chute has a central part 43 of one diameter or width and depressions at each side into which the hub portion oi' a token may project when such is inserted in the coin chute in either of its degree angularly spaced edgewise positions, that is, when inserted as shown in Figs, 4 and 6, or with the hub projecting in the opposite direction.

As shown, for example, in 4 andA 5, the vertical coin chute is intersected by a horizontal transverse slot lili, in which is slidably mounted the bar member 41 shown in detail in Fig. 6. The outer end of the bar il is provided with a stud 48 and a tension spring extends from this stud to a stud 49 iXed on the outer end oi the bar 3l and normally maintains the left end of the bar 41 in engagement with the arm 37. The details of this slide bar are shown more clearly in 6. lt will be seen that this bar is provided with a lower right angle ange part 5i) having therein a notch 5I adapted to receive the edge of the coin or token, as the case may be. The central part of the bar is provided with a slot 52 into which projects the nger All of the release lever 28. A coin, upon insertion in the chute 42, will drop down toa position corresponding to that shown in Fig. 2 with one edge engaged by the forward surface 53 of the notch 5I, and the opposite edge of the coin occupying a position adjacent the finger lil! of the release lever. As shown in Fig. 6, a token will normally fall into the same position. The coin chute includes as part of the casing a small cover plate 54 as shown in Fig. 5, which is removed for clearer illustration in Figs. 2 and 4, and as shown particularly in Fig. 2, upon the coin being initially deposited it is held in the position l just described by the fixed stud which together with the nger 48 prevents the coin from dropping through. If, however, the coin should be of smaller diameter than that for which the mechanisni is designed, it will drop through immediately into the pocket '56 without 'serving to release the mechanism. As shown particularly in Fig. 6, the bottom edge of the Slide bar 41 is cut away at 51 to provide a clearance for the pin 55 in the sliding movement of the bar 41.

The token adapted to be used alternatively with a standard coin, such as the nickel, is, as shown in Figs. 7 to 9. a diskelike member of stepped diameters having a major portion 59 of a diameter corresponding to the coin for which the mechanism is designedin this case a nickel. Integral and concentric with the major diametral part 59 is the reduced diametral portion '50.

Returning to the mechanism illustrated in Figs'. 2 to 6, the token and the nickel operate in an identical fashion to release the turnstile. ln other Words, as the nickel or token is dropped in the chute it initially assumes the position shown in Fig. 2, and then as pressure is applied to the turnstile arm in a clockwise direction in Fig. 1,`

one of the rollers l on the main disk l2 rocks the positioning lever l1, which initiates the movement of the slide bar or finder member lll to the right in Fig. 2. It there be a coin or tokenpresent, as was assumed, then the slide bar and coin in their movement to the right will cause the advancing edge of the coin to engage against the finger 43 rocking the release lever 2S, which in turn operates to release the locking pawl 25 as heretofore described. The shoulder 2t on the locking pawl 25 being slightly spaced from the normal stationary position of the corresponding lug I3, permits a suicient initial movement of the turnstile arm and correspondingly of the positioning lever I1 to operate the release lever 2B and displace the locking pawl 25 in advanceof the en gagement of the shoulder 2li the lug I3.

As the movement continues, the stud 62 fixed to lever Il' engages release lever 28 causing the finger 40 to advance faster than the coin and-the slide 41, freeing the coin and permitting it to drop into a suitable receptacle such as a sack placed below the opening 63 shown in Fig. 4. Following this the lever i1 passes the point of maximum angular displacement produced by the corresponding roller l5, and the spring i9 acts through lever l1 to urge the disk l2 and the turnstile arms into the next succeeding home position where the stop and locking mechanism come into action as heretofore described. The return movement of slide 4l to the left is limited by the cross bar E4 secured thereto as shown in Figs. 3 and 6.

In conjunction with the mechanism described there is provided a means for independently registering coins or tokens of different character. In the present illustration this comprises regis tering the tokens on one meter and the nickels on another meter. The nickel can of course be replaced by another token of a character diiering from the one shown in Figs. '7 and 8. This independent registering means includes a floating bracket B6 hingedly connected at 5l to a stud 68 carried by and projecting downwardly from the positioning lever il. A spring 6g normally urges the bracket 52 into its uppermost position, which is the position occupied during the passage of a nickel through the mechanism as shown in Fig. 2. A selector or feeler member is provided which is responsive to the token to modify the action of the bracket 66 and cause registration on a different meter. This selector means includes a stud 10 mounted for oscillation in the stationary bearing 1l of the frame structure. Secured to one end of this stud is the lever 12 having a splitA portion' '-13 and-a. clamp screw 1.4 permitting adjustment and clamping thereof on the stud 1B. To the opposite end of the stud 1Q is secured a block 15 having spaced cam ngers 16 with an intervening slot 11. In the normal operation of the machine with a token, such as is shown in Figs. '7 and 8, the larger diametral portion 59 will project into this slot and the hub portion Ell will engage'one o-f these cam ngers 'l5 and rotate the lever 12 into the position shown in Fig. 4. The lever 12 is restrained against such angular movement by the spring 18 secured at one end to thel set screw 19 and at the other end to the stationary stud B. The set screw l@ is adjustable into contact with the stud lil and serves thereby to secure nrmly the lever 12 in adjusted position thereon. As shown particularly in Fig. 4, the bracket '86 is provided witha stud Si. which lies inthe path of the lever 12, and accordingly the above described displacement or" the lever 12 acts on the stud 32 to displace the bracket lili to the position shown in Fig. li. As above stated, in the normal operation with a nickel, this bracket will remain in the angular position shown in Fig.y 2.

The bodily lateral shifting of the bracket 66 in the `movement ofthe positioning lever l1 is designed to operate suitable registers. More of the details of this registering means are shown inthe Patent 1,936,941 previously mentioned, but in general this comprises a meter tt designed to register `the tokens, and a meter 85 for registering the nickels. Projecting from the meter 35 is a stud 86 which occupies a position in the slot $1 of the bracket t8 when the mechanism. is being operated by a nickel as shown in Fig. 2. Accordingly as the bracket moves to the right in Fig. 2 the shoulder t8 engages the stud lit and gives ity an angular movement which is automatically retraced when the bracket t6 moves back to the left. The movement of the stud d will produce a registration in accordance with well known means provided for this purpose.

Leading from the meter till are suitable levers and links, including the oscillatory rod il@ provided at its outer end with an arm lil which carries a stud 92. When the mechanism is being operated by a token this stud 92 occupies a position in the notch B3 of the floating bracket iis, such that the shoulder S4 will engage the stud S2 and operate the rod 90 and associated linkage mechanism connected to the meter 813, similarly to the operation of meter 85. As previously described, the coin chute is so constructed as to receive the token in either oi its two possible positions and correspondingly the hub portion of the token will engage one of the cam lingers 15 and the mechanism will be suitably adjusted to cause registration of the token in either case. This is an important advantage, and avoids confusion and delays in the operation of the mechanism by the public.

As heretofore described, the major diameter of the token may be identical with that of the standard coin with which it is interchangeably employed, and correspondingly the relation of the iinger 40 and slide l1 and associated mechanism may be closely adjusted to prevent the operation of the mechanism by a coin or token of a size different from lthat for which it is intended. The angular position of the lever l2 with respect to that of the cam fingers 'le may he readily and quickly adjusted to modify the machine to operate on a token having a diameter different from that shown for the portion 60 in Fig. 7, for eX- ample. This may be of marked advantage in the event, for example, that counterfeit tokens make their appearance.

The tokens may be solid or have an axial opening for reducing the Weight and modifying the appearance such as is shown at 95 in Fig. 7. Normally the tokens will have on the faces thereof appropriate identifying legends or indicia. These may conveniently be impressed thereon as part of the stamping operations. A form of token is shown in Figs. 8 and 9 of a diierent shape internally. In this case the axial opening includes a circular or annular opening 96 extending inwardly from the left in Fig. 9. This lightens the weight still further and enables the tokens to be stacked with the hub portion 60 of one token projecting into the recess 96 of the next. The stamping or pressing operation in making such a token is also made easier requiring less force.

Since certain changes may be made in the above described mechanism and in the articles designed to operate it, and different embodiments of the invention could be made Without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a token and coin receiving and registering means, a chute for admitting and conveying a predetermined coin or a predetermined token of stepped diameter with a main portion of one diameter and a centrally projecting portion of smaller diameter, registering means operable to register separately coins or tokens, a movably mounted feeler means so located as to be out of the path of a coin but positioned and shaped to be engaged and operated by the said projecting portion of a token in its passage through the mechanism, mechanism for conveying the coin or tokenpast said ieeler means, and means :for controlling the registration of coins or tokens by the positions of said movable feeler means.

2. In a token and coin receiving and registering means, a chute for admitting and conveying a predetermined coin or a predetermined token of stepped diameter with a main portion of one diameter and a centrally projecting portion of smaller diameter, said chute in cross section having a main area of dimensions corresponding to and adapted to receive the token portion of larger diameter and having a lateral extension of smaller dimensions corresponding to and adapted to receive the central projecting portion of the token, registering means operable to register separately coins or tokens, a movably mounted feeler means so located as to be out of the path of a coin but positioned and shaped to be engaged and operated by the said projecting portion of a token in its passage through the mechanism, mechanism for conveying the coin or token past said feeler means, and means for controlling the registration of coins or tokens by the positions of said movable feeler means.

3. in a token and coin receiving and registering means, a chute for admitting and conveying a predetermined coin or a predetermined token of stepped diameter with a main portion of one diameter and a centrally projecting portion o smaller diameter, said chute being shaped to receive the token in either of its face positions, registering means operable to register separately coins or tokens, a movably mounted means having spaced feeler ngers so located as to straddle a coin but positioned so that one of said ingers may be engaged and operated by the said projecting portion of a token in its passage in either of its opposite face positions, mechanism for conveying the coin or token past said mounted means, and means for controlling the registration of coins or tokens by the positions of said movably mounted means.

HERBERT A. GERSBACH. 

